Deadlines for Changes & Upgrades

What is the deadline to make changes or upgrades to my new home?

Understanding the Timeline for Changes and Upgrades to my New Home

When it comes to making changes or upgrades to your home plans, understanding the timeline and when certain decisions need to be finalized is essential for keeping everything on track. Our process is designed to give you the opportunity to make the choices that will personalize your home, while also ensuring we meet critical deadlines to maintain the structural integrity and financial stability of the project. Let us walk you through the different phases of construction, what changes can be made during each, and how these adjustments might impact your overall budget and timeline, so you feel fully informed and confident moving forward.

Phase 1: Initial Planning and Structural Design

Your Best Opportunity for Customization.

During Phase 1, we focus on finalizing all major aspects of your home’s structural design. This is where we settle on things like the floor plan, load-bearing walls, room layouts, and any significant architectural elements that impact the home’s engineering. If you’re considering substantial changes, such as modifying room sizes, adding an extra bathroom, or changing the roofline, these must be made during Phase 1. This ensures that we can build your home’s structure exactly to your specifications.

Changes and upgrades made during this phase can be seamlessly rolled into your construction loan, making it easier to finance them. By including these adjustments in the loan, you can avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs later on. This phase is crucial for getting all the major details set, so you won’t have to worry about structural changes impacting your budget or schedule once we start construction. We encourage you to take your time here and explore all the possibilities. If there’s something you’re considering but are unsure about, we’re happy to discuss it further and provide any information you need to make an informed decision.

Phase 2: Hard Surface Finish Design & Construction

Personalize with Upgrades or Pre-Selected Finishes.

Once we move into Phase 2, the focus shifts to selecting hard surface finishes and other aesthetic elements such as cabinets, flooring, countertops, and paint colors. While we still have some flexibility for minor adjustments—like shifting a non-load-bearing wall or adjusting electrical placements—most of the changes at this stage are about fine-tuning the look and feel of your home rather than altering its structure. Keep in mind that any framing adjustments at this point (no matter how minor it may seem) will incur additional costs.

During this phase, you’ll have many choices included in our premium level package at no additional charge, so you’ll still have the flexibility to personalize your home without incurring upgrade costs. However, any selection that falls outside of the premium package options would be considered an upgrade and may come with an additional fee.

Any changes made during Phase 2 will need to be paid out-of-pocket, as they can no longer be added to the construction loan. This is something to keep in mind if you’re considering upgrades beyond the standard selections. For instance, if you prefer one of our quartz counter selections that is not within the Premium Package, this upgrade would require additional payment.

Upgrades are defined as any selections you choose that are not included in our premium package options. While we do our best to accommodate changes during this phase, the further we progress in the construction process, the less flexibility we have to make modifications, as it could impact the timeline or existing work.

Customization Options for Paradise and Premium-Level Homes

If you’re building one of our Paradise or Premium-Level Homes, Phase 1 gives you the opportunity to personalize your home to suit your vision. This phase allows for a range of modifications, from adjusting the layout of specific rooms to making broader changes to the floor plan. You can even bring us a custom design that we can work with to create a home tailored to your preferences. This phase helps you create a home that reflects your style and priorities.

While we encourage you to make all major structural changes during this time, keep in mind that the fewer changes you make from one of our established designs—and the more you stick to the premium level options included in our packages—the more cost-effective your home will be. Customizations beyond our standard offerings can lead to higher costs, so finding the right balance between personalization and affordability is key during this stage.

When it comes to Phase 2, you’ll still have flexibility, but the focus shifts to choosing your finishes and fixtures. If you select from our premium-level options, these are included at no additional cost, allowing you to add a personal touch without worrying about added expenses.

Should you wish to go beyond what’s included in the premium package—such as opting for custom cabinetry or specialized countertops—these would be considered upgrades and would need to be paid for out-of-pocket. If you’re unsure whether to upgrade now or later, you can always start with our included fixtures and make enhancements in the future as your budget allows, giving you flexibility to continue refining your home over time.

Customization Options for Brecken’s Entry-Level Homes

For our Brecken Heights Entry-Level Homes, customizations are more limited. The floor plans are set and cannot be changed. During Phase 1, there are a few specific upgrade options available at an additional cost, such as adding a skylight, installing a fireplace, and a few other enhancements that can make your home feel more personalized.

Once we move into Phase 2, you’ll be able to choose from the predefined finish options and palettes we have prepared for you within our premium level package. While these selections allow you to personalize the interior aesthetic of your home, significant changes or custom finishes aren’t available, as the home’s structure and design are pre-configured to maintain affordability and efficiency.

Financial Implications of Changes and Upgrades

It’s important to understand how changes made at different stages can affect your financing. During Phase 1, all structural and major design changes can be included in your construction loan, giving you greater flexibility without immediate out-of-pocket costs. In Phase 2, changes are limited to aesthetic or non-structural elements.

Any additional costs during this phase must be covered separately, and cannot be added to your loan. If you’re building with cash instead of a construction loan, how you pay for upgrades in Phase 2 will be will remain the same as Phase 1, but the timing of payments might vary depending on when the changes are made.

Final Summary: Making the Most of Each Phase

To summarize, the best time to make any major structural or design changes is during Phase 1, as this is when we establish the foundation of your home’s design and can include these adjustments in your construction loan. Once we transition into Phase 2, the focus shifts to finishes and minor adjustments, with any upgrades needing to be paid separately.

We know this can sometimes feel like a lot of pressure to get everything right by a certain deadline, but we are here to support you through each step, answer any questions, and explore all your options with you. Our goal is to help you build a home you love and feel good about—both now and for many years to come.